| Thunder Road Films | |
| Type: | Private |
| Founder: | Basil Iwanyk |
| Location: | Santa Monica, California |
| Industry: | Film |
| Products: | Film and Television Production |
Thunder Road Films is a film and television financing and production company founded by Basil Iwanyk. It is based in Santa Monica, California.[1]
Thunder Road's films have grossed over $3.8 billion worldwide and garnered nominations from the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Producers Guild Awards, Writers Guild Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and AFI Awards.[2] The company is known for producing a diverse range of films, including action blockbusters, dramas, and thrillers. Some of their most successful films include John Wick, The Town,[3] and Sicario.
The company has developed a reputation for supporting the directorial debuts of established actors, with Taylor Sheridan,[4] Halle Berry,[5] and Dev Patel[6] directing their first films with the company.
Producer Basil Iwanyk founded the film and television financing and production company Thunder Road Films in the mid-2000s. In January 2012, Peter Lawson left The Weinstein Company to join Thunder Road as a President of Production,[7] and then left in January 2014 for a job as exec VP of production and acquisitions at Open Road Films.[8] In 2021, Erica Lee was named partner at Thunder Road, moving from her position as President of Production.[9] In 2022, Eric Sherman joined as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel.[10]
In July 2011, after leaving Warner Bros. Television, Thunder Road signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop television projects.[11]
In May 2013, Thunder Road signed on a deal with Cutting Edge Group to finance the company's film music slate, and from that the first film getting covered was John Wick.[12]
In June 2014, Thunder Road and Christian Angermayer's Film House Germany signed a deal to strengthen Thunder Road's financial capability to develop projects.[13] In October 2014, Thunder Road and PalmStar Media signed on a deal in which the Thunder Road would receive $200 million annually to finance five to six $20–50 million budgeted indies within a year.[14] It would also enable the company to co-finance the development and production of larger studio projects.
In May 2015, Thunder Road renewed its slate agreement with Cutting Edge Group and its investment arm, Conduct, which finances the music budgets of films and television programs in exchange for IP rights to each project's original music.[15]
In September 2020, Thunder Road teamed with Redbox on joint venture Asbury Park Pictures for the purpose of making 12 films over the next three years. The films we be budgeted in the range of $10 million-$12 million, and be distributed via Redbox kiosks and on demand service.[16]
Thunder Road has been producing films since 2006, which included 2006's Firewall and We Are Marshall, 2009's Brooklyn's Finest, 2010's Clash of the Titans and The Town. The company also produced the three installments of The Expendables series.